Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash (10) moves downcourt against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Sunday.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots as Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol (16), of Spain, defends and forward Metta World Peace (15) watches in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. The Lakers won 105-96.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Jodie Meeks (20) is fouled by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Nick Collison (4) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. The Lakers won 105-96.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (0), of the Republic of Congo, and Los Angeles Lakers forward Antawn Jamison (4) collide while going for possession of the ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Sunday.

Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots over Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 106-95 Laker win at Staples Center on January 27, 2013 in Los Angeles.

Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder is fouled as he drives to the basket by Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 106-95 Laker win at Staples Center.

Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts for a foul to be called during a 105-96 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center.

Metta World Peace #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles as he is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center.

Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers is fouled by Serge Ibaka #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on January 27, 2013 in Los Angeles.

Steve Nash #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates his three pointer with an assist from Kobe Bryant #24 during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on January 27, 2013 in Los Angeles.

Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers blocks the last second shot attempt of Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter at Staples Center on January 27, 2013 in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) and center Dwight Howard (12) celebrate their 105-96 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Sunday.

LOS ANGELES – When the Lakers’ offense would get in a rut, Phil Jackson would move Kobe Bryant from the wing to the backcourt in the triangle offense and essentially force Bryant to shift his mentality from pure scorer to team playmaker.

Mike D’Antoni can do that, too. And he has.

D’Antoni muttered a week ago: “The ball sticks, and we don’t take very good shots.” But with Bryant taking over much of the ball-handling duties from D’Antoni’s longtime and all-time great point guard Steve Nash, the Lakers have morphed the past two games into a cohesive, winning unit.

Bryant posted 14 assists — one shy of his 17-year career high — for the second consecutive game in the Lakers’ best victory of the season Sunday: They downed Western Conference favorite Oklahoma City, 105-96.

Asked if he was enjoying all the passing, Bryant said: “I enjoy winning.”

Bryant was actually irate with Pau Gasol for not taking an open shot Bryant set up for him with two minutes left. But the Lakers held on anyway, with one Lakers fan heard squealing inside Staples Center down the stretch: “We’re gonna win!”

The 19-25 Lakers have had a lot of downs and false revelations this season, but Bryant said this time: “This feels a little different. Feels like we found an identity.”

The Lakers enjoyed some edges going into this game, including it being the last game of Oklahoma City’s six-game trip, but they had to play good enough defense to take advantage against what D’Antoni called “probably the best team in the league.”

The Lakers stuck with their approach of having Bryant (21 points) handle the ball more, and Nash (17 points) was effective as a scorer: Nash got an uncontested layup with 3:49 to play — Bryant’s 12th assist — at a key point. Dwight Howard shot 2 for 10 on free throws and got into second-half foul trouble, but the Lakers persevered for a change.

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